RAIN ON THE WIND

by Walter Macken ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 24, 1951

A slow, but singing unfolding of the hidden hope for happiness that huge, badly birth-marked, Mico, held -- and almost discarded, this is backgrounded by the sail boat fishermen of Galway Bay and their stand against struggling poverty and hard living. For Mico is bested -- in looks, in brains, in their mother's love,- by his older brother Tommy; he is ever the center of trouble, whether it be the first episode when he defies the geese, or later when he outbrawls the boys at Spanish Arch; he is exiled through his mother's violent dislike, after a haunted night on an island on which rats find refuge, to an uncle in Connemara, where lovely Maeve, who wins his boyish adoration by not finding the birthmark repugnant, is not for him but for his friend, Coimin; home again, he finds Peter, his dearest friend, has won Josephine. But the jinx remains, for Peter, hurt in a hurling match, fears for his sanity and kills himself and a fight over Peter with Tommy again exiles him to the bare living of Connemara. And there he loses Coimin to the loved and hated sea and has little hope of Maeve's strength to bear her loss. A last chance comes when Maeve is persuaded to live with Peter's parents and a last confrontation with Tommy -- with Maeve in his arms -- sends Mico to his black boat and death only to have his essential goodness and gentleness take control and send him home -- to Maeve. There's Big Micil, warm worded Gran, stalwart little Twacky and all the living, breathing life of the Claddagh and its perilous fishing grounds to combine into a touching picture of patient, vigorous men and women. Literary Guild choice for May will assure its initial sales -- it can stand on its own after that.

Pub Date: April 24, 1951

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1951

Categories: FICTION